Friends tend to resemble each other
No one could respond to her words.
That's because a Chimera could never be born naturally.
Fundamentally, they are created through magic and forbidden techniques, fusing multiple creatures together.
This results in an unstable body that constantly collapses, and in the process, their minds also break down, turning them into monsters that attack everything in sight until they die.
That is the essence of a Chimera.
Therefore, creating Chimeras is illegal in most countries, and anyone involved in Chimera creation or related research, even those indirectly involved, typically receives severe punishment.
The way ordinary people view Chimeras is similar to how priests view the undead…
Even in this world where the concept of human rights is tenuous, Chimeras are considered a horrific extreme of unethical practices.
The fact that such a Chimera was created not by combining beasts or monsters, but through the horrific fusion of humans and magical beasts, was enough to shock everyone present.
"Wait… Wait, wait, wait, wait."
Even Cayley, skilled at concealing her emotions in public, stared at her with a face etched with shock.
"A human-magical beast Chimera? Is that even possible?"
[Th-That's not my area of expertise… I-I don't think I can s-say anything about it…]
Of course, considering Silfier's genius intellect, creating a Chimera wouldn't be too difficult given enough time and resources.
However, she had no reason to do so.
Despite her eccentricities, her thought process still fell within the realm of a normal human being.
Creating a Chimera is something only the most depraved of the depraved would do.
It was safe to say that there was no possibility of Silfier engaging in Chimera research.
"Hmm…"
Cayley let out a low groan at Silfier's response.
Then, with a short sigh, she looked at Rudell.
"If you're right, the one who created the Chimera is Kendrick. Correct?"
"Yes."
Rudell nodded at Cayley's question.
To get straight to the point, Kendrick had escaped the Royal Capital.
According to Kurt, who had been tasked with tracking him, Kendrick seemed to have used a magic scroll similar to the one Rudell had used before.
It was a cheat item that essentially granted a +1 life, so for now, they had to be content with the fact that they had forced him to use it.
"I'll have someone investigate him separately. If he possesses such abilities, there must be traces of his past."
"Understood."
In truth, Rudell already had a vague understanding of Kendrick's past.
He was originally a mage from the Empire, possessing genius-level abilities but also an extreme hedonist.
He had a twisted personality, capable of trampling on the lives of others without a second thought if it served his interests and experiments.
In fact, he had been sentenced to death in the Imperial Capital for kidnapping and using people as experimental subjects.
It was the Death Eater Cult that approached him while he was awaiting his execution in prison.
His willingness to use even living people as experimental subjects for his amusement perfectly aligned with their disregard for human life in pursuit of their goals.
Thus, he joined the Death Eater Cult and became known as the world's worst mad scientist.
'I can't say anything now, can I…'
If he claimed to know so much about someone from a distant foreign country, anyone would be suspicious.
At least until a natural opportunity arose, he had to postpone revealing Kendrick's past.
"Alright, everyone, let's go back. Everything discussed here is top secret. Understand?"
If this matter were to leak out, Rudell couldn't even fathom the consequences.
The cult of an evil god plotting to resurrect their deity.
If that became public knowledge, the ensuing chaos would undoubtedly be immense.
"Understood."
"Got it."
"Understood."
[U-Understood…!!]
They nodded at Cayley's emphatic instructions and headed down the hallway.
* * *
"Rudell. Don't you have anything to say to me?"
"Huh? What?"
Rudell tilted his head at Leje's question as they walked down the hallway.
Was there something he hadn't told her?
Except for a few things that absolutely couldn't be revealed, he had told Leje everything.
"Why did you tell them but not me!? Huh!? That's not fair!"
In the next moment, Leje, with a fierce expression, put Rudell in a headlock and shouted.
"Ack! Ouch!! That hurts!!"
Struggling within Leje's grip, Rudell cried out in pain.
Leje's headlock continued for a while longer.
Finally, after Rudell's hazelnut hair was flattened against his head, Leje released him.
"I seriously thought I was going to die…"
Rubbing his throbbing head, Rudell complained.
"That's your punishment for keeping secrets. Take it."
"As you wish…"
Grumbling in response, Rudell sighed and opened his mouth.
"Just so you know, I didn't do it on purpose. I just…"
"Yeah, yeah. I know. You didn't want me to get involved in something dangerous, right?"
"..."
She knew him well.
Thinking so, he let out a low sigh.
[Um, excuse me…]
Just then, Silfier, emitting steam with clicking sounds, spoke up.
Since she rarely initiated conversations, Rudell and Leje looked at her with surprise.
[N-Never mind…]
At their reaction, Silfier averted her gaze and mumbled, her voice shrinking.
It was a reaction typical of her, and a faint chuckle escaped Rudell's lips.
"What is it? Tell us. We won't be angry."
[Wh-What is your relationship? You two have seemed quite cl-close…]
Silfier cautiously inquired in response to Leje's question.
Not much was known about their relationship within the class.
They knew vaguely that the two were friends, simply from their casual interactions, but no one in the class…
No, except for Kurt, who had heard it from Rudell, no one knew the true nature of Rudell and Leje's relationship.
"This guy? Childhood friend."
"Leje and I are childhood friends."
[Ah… I-I see…!!]
Rudell and Leje answered almost simultaneously, and Silfier nodded as if she finally understood.
"This guy is mine, so if you even think about making a move on him, I won't let you get away with it."
"Am I an object…"
[U-Understood…!!]
Don't encourage her.
With a disgruntled expression, Rudell looked at Silfier.
However, it seemed Silfier was much more afraid of Leje, as she fidgeted nervously, her discomfort visible even through her armor.
Considering Silfier's personality, it couldn't be helped.
Thus, the four of them arrived at the dormitory area…
"See you all tomorrow."
"Yeah."
[S-See you tomorrow…!!]
Kurt and Silfier responded to Rudell's waving farewell and headed to their respective rooms.
After their figures disappeared down the hallway, Leje turned to Rudell.
"What? Why?"
Rudell tilted his head at her behavior.
In response to his question, Leje stared at him with a sullen face before abruptly turning her head away.
"It's nothing. See you tomorrow."
"…? See you tomorrow."
She seemed strangely upset…
Should he make time to go out with her sometime soon?
Organizing his schedule in his mind, Rudell headed towards his dormitory.
* * *
"I'm such an idiot…"
Walking down the empty hallway, she muttered to herself.
It was about a year ago.
She had resolved to become stronger.
The horrific scene she had witnessed in her dream wouldn't leave her mind.
If she could become stronger than anyone else in the world, she wouldn't have to see such a sight again.
Now, her academy life was so busy that she spent more days without a sword in her hand than with one, but back in the Duchy, she had devoted herself to training every single day.
And when there were no knights left in her territory who could match her, she thought, 'Isn't this enough?'
But that was her mistake.
The precious friend she wanted to protect carried a darkness far greater than she had imagined.
A vast darkness he could never handle alone.
Regardless of his intentions, he had attempted to bear it alone and ended up seriously injured.
"..."
What was 'enough'?
What did 'wanting to protect' even mean?
She couldn't bear how pathetic she was, unable to even give her friend proper trust.
"I will become stronger… Stronger than I am now."
As darkness gradually settled outside the window, she muttered those words and continued walking down the hallway.
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Identity reveal felt kinda underwhelming. The scientist escaping also felt like it was needed to just make the story longer. Also, why didn't he wear a mask and hide his identity like he usually does?
ReplyDeleteAlso makes no sense that the mad scientist got away from Kurt as he's bith assassin and body reinforcement type fighter
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